West Pottsgrove man accused of abusing 2-year-old

AMITY — Justan David Heckman, 25, of 723 Holly Drive, West Pottsgrove, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault and harassment involving a 2-year-old child he was baby-sitting, according to police.

On Dec. 31, 2012, the Berks County District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit received a report from Amity police that Heckman had removed the victim’s diaper and struck the child on the buttocks with his open hand, police said. The strikes caused severe bruising, swelling and pain, police said.

Police said the child’s mother was at work at the time of the incident.

Heckman gave police a statement on Jan. 4 where he admitted to striking the child numerous times over an eight-hour period, according to police. He told police that the child was misbehaving.

Heckman surrendered to police at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Berks County Detectives office in Reading after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, police said.

His bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.

The child was placed in protective care by Berks County Children Youth Services on Jan. 1.